The line of Adam Valadao, Liam Kerins and John Carpino struck for three first period goals that included the game winner, as the visiting North York Rangers handed the Buffalo Jr. Sabres a 4-2 loss in Ontario Junior Hockey League actionMonday night at the Northtown Center at Amherst.
Defenseman Jason Heerdt got the Jr. Sabres on the scoreboard in the second period with his first goal of the season, assisted by Pat Egan and Nolan Sheeran. Sheeran added a power play goal in the third period.
Corey Kalk scored North York’s fourth goal.
Buffalo goaltender Joseph Pianta made 36 saves.
The Jr. Sabres (17-5-1-1) travel to Georgetown on Saturday followed by Milton on Sunday before hosting the Stouffville Spirit on Tuesday, November 26 at the Northtown Center at Amherst.
GAME NOTES: Earlier in the day, the Canadian Junior Hockey League, which oversees ten Junior-A leagues including the OJHL, ranked the Jr. Sabres at #7 in its weekly Top 20 ranking. It is the second week in a row the Jr. Sabres were seventh in Canadian Jr. A, and matches their highest ranking in last year’s Top 20 lists… Defenseman Nick DeSimone (East Amherst, NY) became the sixth member of the team to confirm a college commitment. He announced over the weekend his commitment to NCAA Division I program Union College.
* * *
Link to Box Score: http://buffalo.stats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=2228207
Photo: Jason Heerdt file photo (courtesy OJHL Images)